Peach Crumble Recipe

As summer wanes, I find myself seeking comfort that whispers of childhood gardens and sun-warmed fruit.

This isn’t just any peach crumble; it’s a snapshot of lazy afternoons, where the air smelled of ripening peaches and toasted almonds.

The aroma of melting butter mingling with cinnamon sparks memories I didn’t realize I missed so much.

There’s a certain chaos to making this dessert, the spoon clinks on the bowl, the peaches softly burst as I peel them, and the crumble topping crumbles away in my hands.

It’s a simple act, yet it reconnects me to a slower, sweeter time that feels especially vital right now.

Behind the Recipe

This recipe is rooted in ease. When peaches are at their best, there’s no need to complicate them. I started making this crumble when I wanted something baked and comforting without committing to pie dough or long prep. Tossing fruit with sugar, mixing a crumble by hand, and letting the oven do the work felt right, and it’s stayed that way ever since.

A Little Context

Fruit crumbles are a long-standing dessert in American home cooking, especially in late summer when stone fruit is abundant. Unlike pies, crumbles rely on a simple topping of flour, sugar, and butter, making them approachable and forgiving while still deeply satisfying.

Why I Love This Recipe (And You Will Too)

• Highlights ripe, seasonal peaches
• Simple pantry ingredients
• No dough rolling or special skills needed
• Balanced sweetness with warm spice
• Soft fruit with a crisp topping
• Easy to scale up or down
• Comforting without feeling heavy

Chef’s Pro Tips for Best Results

• Use ripe but firm peaches for the best texture
• Keep butter cold for a crumbly topping
• Don’t overmix the crumble, texture matters
• Spread topping evenly for consistent browning
• Let it rest briefly before serving

Ingredients in This Recipe

1. 5 cups peach slices, peeled and pitted: Juicy base of the dessert
2. ½ cup granulated sugar, divided: Sweetens the fruit and balances acidity
3. 1 tbsp lemon juice: Brightens peach flavor
4. 1 cup all-purpose flour: Forms the crumble structure
5. ½ cup rolled oats: Adds texture to the topping
6. ½ cup brown sugar: Deep sweetness for the crumble
7. ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces: Creates a crisp topping
8. 1 tsp ground cinnamon: Adds warmth
9. ¼ tsp salt: Enhances overall flavor

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

1. Mixing bowls
2. Baking dish
3. Pastry cutter or fork
4. Oven

How to Make Peach Crumble

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
2. Toss peaches with half the sugar and lemon juice
3. Transfer fruit to a baking dish and spread evenly
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt
5. Cut cold butter into the dry mixture until crumbly
6. Sprinkle topping evenly over peaches
7. Bake for 35 minutes until golden and bubbling
8. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving

Ingredient Substitutions

• Use nectarines instead of peaches
• Reduce sugar slightly for very sweet fruit
• Skip oats for a finer crumble texture

Preparing this peach crumble feels like an act of reclaiming slow, honest joy. It’s about reconnecting with the natural ebb of seasons and the stories they carry in every bite.

With every spoonful, I savor more than just fruit and sugar, I taste the importance of pausing and remembering.

This dish matters right now because it’s a nostalgic nod to better days when life was just a little simpler.

As the seasons shift and familiarity becomes a comfort, this crumble anchors me in the present, wrapped in memories and warmth.

In the end, it’s a little like holding onto a glimpse of summer. A sweet, textured reminder that even as seasons change, some flavors stay with us, quietly, patiently, waiting for us to rediscover them.

Peach Crumble

This peach crumble features ripe, juicy peaches topped with a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumble. The dish is baked until golden brown, with bubbling fruit and a crunchy topping that contrasts with the soft interior, resulting in a warm, inviting dessert.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 290

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 5 cups peach slices peeled and pitted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar divided, for peaches
• 1 tbsp lemon juice to enhance peach flavor
• 1 cup all-purpose flour for the crumble topping
• 1/2 cup rolled oats adds texture to topping
• 1/2 cup brown sugar for sweetness in crumble
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon adds warmth to topping
• 1/4 tsp salt enhances flavors

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking Dish
• Pastry cutter or fork
• Oven

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the peeled and sliced peaches with half of the sugar and lemon juice until evenly coated. Transfer the peach mixture to a baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
2. In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
3. Add the cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. This helps create a flaky, crunchy topping.
4. Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the peaches in the baking dish, covering all the fruit surface. Gently press down the topping to help it stick together.
5. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbling around the edges. You’ll smell the cinnamon and toasted butter as it bakes.
6. Remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool slightly for 10 minutes. Serve warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence. Let the crumble rest 10 minutes so the fruit filling thickens before serving.

Ingredient Spotlight

Peaches
When baked, peaches soften and release their juices, creating a naturally thick, flavorful base without the need for added thickeners.

Texture & Flavor Notes

• Soft, juicy peaches
• Crisp, buttery topping
• Warm cinnamon aroma
• Balanced sweetness

What to Avoid

• Using underripe peaches
• Warm butter in the topping
• Overbaking until dry
• Skipping the resting time

Nutrition Estimate

• Calories: ~290 per serving
• Carbohydrates: ~42g
• Fat: ~12g
• Protein: ~3g

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Store covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days
• Reheat gently in the oven
• Texture is best within the first 24 hours

How to Serve This Dish

• Serve warm in bowls
• Enjoy as-is for a simple dessert
• Spoon leftovers slightly warm

Creative Leftover Ideas

• Spoon over yogurt for breakfast
• Warm and serve with coffee or tea
• Enjoy cold straight from the fridge

Variations to Try

• Extra cinnamon version
• Oat-free crumble
• Brown sugar-heavy topping
• Slightly thicker fruit layer
• Mixed stone-fruit crumble

FAQ’s

1. Do I need to peel the peaches? Yes, for smoother texture
2. Can I use frozen peaches? Yes, thaw and drain first
3. Is this very sweet? Balanced, not overly sweet
4. Can I make it ahead? Yes, bake the same day for best texture
5. Does it reheat well? Yes
6. Can I halve the recipe? Easily
7. Is this a pie replacement? Yes, simpler and faster
8. Does it thicken as it cools? Yes

Sharing this peach crumble isn’t just about the dessert. It’s about holding onto grounding traditions in a world that moves so fast. The smell alone makes me feel rooted and real, even in chaos.

Every time I bake it, I remember why seasons matter, their promise of renewal and remembrance. It’s a simple recipe, but it carries aseasonal weight that lingers long after the last crumb.

Mahek Manchanda

Hi, I am Mahek Manchanda. The curious heart behind Dramatically Stirring. I’ve always been most at ease in my own company. I’m not exactly a people-person (small talk still makes me cringe), but there are two things I’ve always loved with my whole heart: animals and food.